How to remove pen stains

I worked for a while years ago in a dry cleaners, I was the stain remover and we taught that the only stain you can’t remove is in. Fast forward to two years ago and we have a pen stain on the cover of our sofa, it couldn’t be removed and the insurers gave us new covers.

Thanks everyone

I removed biro marks from a blouse years ago by spraying perfume on it, leaving it for 5 minutes and then blotting with kitchen towel. It broke up the stain and I then washed it normally.

Dr Beckman's carpet cleaner. I use it on loads of things - upholstery, clothing - oh, and carpets!

Depends on the ink I think. Hairspray for biro. Aftershave for marker pens - I've never tried it but did see a hatter on 'The Repair Shop' remove ink stains from the inside of a hat with it. He said he got the tip from his daughter, who also does it.

The cheapest hairspray. Spray on, leave, later dump washing machine soap on, rub a bit, wash as usual in machine.

Alcohol. As in methylated spirits or surgical spirits (I can't remember which is clear and which has a blue stain) dissolves a lot of ink products such as biro.

Try Vanish stain remover?

Spray with hairspray and wipe gently with clean cloth. Works really well.

Spray hairspray on the stain first then wash as usual. Or you can buy specific stain removers for pen - Stain Devils and Dr Beckman both do them.

Thanks Kim19, I'll give that a try

Now things may have changed radically in terms of ink and materials but I remember distinctly putting the ink stains in a saucer of milk. Worked in the olden days!

Sorry, can't help. I gave up (after much effort with scrubbing brushes etc) with Minibaggs's primary school sweatshirts. She wore them to the end of primary school with their pen and paint decorations intact. She didn't mind. I didn't mind. Nobody said a word.